Navigational system



Nov. 26, 1968 J. J. NESSON 3,412,705

NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM Filed June 27, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JEAN J N550N A TT 0015 V5 Nov. 26, 1968 J. J. NESSON 3,412,705

NAVIGAT IONAL SYSTEM Filed June 2'7, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JEAN J. IVfSSO/V ATTUKNEK? United States Patent 3,412,705 NAVIGATIONALSYSTEM Jean J. Nesson, 3155 Broderick St., San Francisco, Calif. 94123Filed June 27, 1967, Ser. No. 649,237 2 Claims. (Cl. 115-12) ABSTRACT OFTHE DISCLOSURE A navigational system for vessels is provided with aplurality of first ducts extending the length of the vessel below thewater line of the hull. A plurality of second ducts extends the width ofthe vessel below the water line of the hull. Propellers are disposed atthe intersections of the ducts. The propellers are provided with meansof orientation to preselected positions.

Background of the invention Field of the invention.A navigational systemfor vessels is provided with a series of intersecting ducts below thewater line of the hull. Positioned at the intersections of these ductsare propellers equipped With means of orientation to preselectedpositions.

Description of the prior art.-A search was made on the navigationalsystem for vessels of this invention prior to the preparation of thisapplication. The results of the search did not produce any disclosureswhich utilized propellers disposed at the intersections of ductsextending the length and width of the hull of the vessel below the waterline.

Summary of the invention The proper docking of boats at piers or thelike has been a perplexing problem for seamen and captains the worldover. Presently oceangoing freighters and luxury liners require acompany of tugs to move the vessel to and from the dock at the start orend of a voyage. This operation is time consuming and expensive but isaccepted because present boat construction makes it a requisite.

Applicant has overcome the above problem by providing a vessel which canbe easily and safely navigated close to adjacent piers, docks and thelike by the orientation of a series of propellers disposed at theintersections of ducts which extend the length and width of the vesselbelow the water line of the hull.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved navigational system for vessels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a navigational system forvessels which will be compatible with existing vessel design andconstruction.

A further object is to provide a navigational system for vessels of thecharacter described which is easy to construct and free from unnecessarymechanical problems.

Description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a side view of a vesselillustrating the navigational system of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 22 ofFIGURE 1 illustrating the intersecting duct arrangement.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 33 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 4-4 ofFIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective or isometric view partially in sectionillustrating the navigational system of the present invention aiiixed toan existing boat structure.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view illustrating the duct and motorarrangement shown in FIGURE 5.

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FIGURE 7 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 7-7 ofFIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 illustrates by arrows the various directional arrangement-savailable by use of the navigational system of the present invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring particularly toFIGURES 1 and 2 there is shown a vessel, generally indicated 10,constructed in accordance with the present invention and having a hull12 and a cabin portion 14. Extending the length of the vessel below thewater line 16 are two first ducts 18 approximately parallel to eachother beginning at openings 20 and terminating in exit ports 22. Asecond series of ducts 24 approximately parallel to each other extendsthe width of the vessel 10 below the water line 16 of the hull 12 andhas ports 26 on one side and ports 28 on the other side of the vessel.Located in the openings 20 and throughout the ducts 18 a number ofprotector members 30 which serve to prevent large foreign objects ofsolid matter from entering the duct system and thereby coming in contactwith the power means of the vessel 10. Some of these protector members30 may be inclined slightly, if desired. Rudders 32 are located in thestern of the vessel 10 adjacent exit ports 22 for steering purposes.

Disposed at the intersections of first ducts 18 and second ducts 24 arepropellers, generally indicated 34 (FIGURE 3). Each propeller 34 has amotor casing 36 having a motor therein, a shaft 38, a central hub 40 andradiating blades 42. Attached to the lower portion of said motor casing36 and encircling but not touching shaft 38 is disc member'44 providedwith teeth 46 so that a suitable worm 48 can engage teeth 46 and therebyturn propeller 34 as shown in FIGURE 4. Circular members 50 can be usedto protect the blades 42, if desired.

Worm 48 can be rotated by a motor, piston rod or other suitable method.In any event the propellers 34 must be able to assume one position infirst ducts 18 and another position in second ducts 24. The front pairof propellers should work together as should the rear pair ofpropellers. When the propellers 34 are in first ducts 18, the vesselwill either go forward as indicated by arrow 52 in FIGURE 8 or backwardas indicated by arrow 54 depending upon the direction of rotation of theblades 42 on each propeller. If the blades 42 are rotating clockwise,the vessel will move forward. Likewise, if the blades 42 are rotatingcounterclockwise the vessel will move backward. With the propellers 34in second ducts 24, the boat will go sideways in the direction of arrow56 or sideways in the direction of arrow 58 or make a complete circle asindicated by arrow 60 in FIGURE 8, also depending upon the direction ofrotation of the blade 42. In order to obtain the direction indicated byarrow 60, it is necessary that the pair of propellers located near thestern of the boat direct the water in one direction and the pair ofpropellers located in the front of the boat direct the water in anopposite direction. The position of the propellers determines into whichducts the water is selectively directed when the blades are rotated.Thus, applicant uses the same propellers which move the boat forward orbackward to also move the boat sideways to approach a dock or pier orthe like.

FIGURE 5 shows the navigational system of the present invention ailixedto an existing vessel generally indicated 62 having a hull 64, a cabinportion 66 and a windshield member 68. Attached to the hull 64 above thekeel 70 but extending below the keel 70 are two duct forming members 72:having a plurality of apertures 74 therein. Positioned within the ductforming member 72 but in line with the side apertures 74 are a pluralityof propellers generally indicated 76 having a central hub 78, radiatingblades 80, and circular member 82 as well as shaft 84.

3 Rudders 86 are located in the stern of the vessel 62 for steeringpurposes (FIGURE 6).

The movement and rotation of the propellers 76 is the same as themovement and rotation of propellers 34 in FIGURES 1 through 4 and willnot be described in detail again. Suffice it to say that the samedirectional movements illustrated in FIGURE 8 and previously describedcan be obtained with the navigational system shown in FIGURES 5 through7.

I claim:

, 1. A primary navigational system for vessels comprising in combinationwith the hull of a vessel (a) a plurality of first ducts extending thelength of the vessel below the water line of the hull,

(b) a plurality of second ducts extending the width of the vessel belowthe water line of the hull,

(c) propellers disposed at the four intersections of said first andsecond ducts,

(d) and means for orientating said propellers to preselected positionswherby water can be selectively directed through said ducts.

2. The navigational system of claim 1 wherein said propellers have afirst position in said first ducts and a second position in said secondducts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1940 Briggs. 8/1967 Cahill115-12

